Researchers claim drinking red wine could help to prevent hearing loss, due to the chemical resveratrol, which is found in the drink. Resveratrol has also been linked to preventing other conditions and diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

A study at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that healthy rats were less likely to suffer noise-induced hearing loss when they were given the compound before being exposed to loud noises.

Dr Michael Seidman, who led the study said: "Our latest study focuses on resveratrol and its effect on the body's response to injury - something that is believed to be the cause of many health problems including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, ageing and hearing loss."

He added: "We've shown that by giving animals resveratrol, we can reduce the amount of hearing and cognitive decline."

Hearing loss affects half of all people over the age of 60, but many problems can occur in people aged in the 40s and 50s.

It is usually brought about by the death of the tiny 'hair' cells in the inner ear as a result of ageing.